Prep baseball - Randolph Record

25 Aug

Eastern Randolph alum Cockman takes baseball coaching job

Bob SuttonSportsBrent Haynes, Eastern Randolph athletics, Eastern Randolph baseball, Nate Cockman, Prep baseball

New Eastern Randolph baseball coach Nate Cockman talks with his Chatham-Randolph Pony League All-Star team earlier this month. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Nate Cockman’s rise to a head coaching position in high school baseball happened faster than he envisioned. He’s grateful for that. He’s the new coach at Eastern Randolph. “It all happened pretty quick,” Cockman said. “The doors opened at once. I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.” The 2017 graduate takes over at his alma mater because Brent Haynes left after one season. Haynes took the coaching job at Burlington Williams. Cockman had been coaching at Southeastern Randolph…

10 Aug

Widespread success reshapes Eastern Randolph’s reputation

Bob SuttonSportsDevonte Brooks, Eastern Randolph athletics, Foster Cates, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, Prep Basketball, prep football

Among the thrills for Eastern Randolph during the past school year came following a road victory against South Stokes in the boys’ basketball state playoffs as coach Johnny Thomas and the team celebrate. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph had a different kind of school year in 2022-23. For athletics director Foster Cates, the perception of athletics at the school might be changing. That’s because the Wildcats advanced to the Class 1-A state championship game in boys’ basketball. That had never happened before. “It has been such a football and baseball dominant school forever,” Cates said. “I wanted…

09 Aug

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kahlin Graham

Randolph RecordBusiness, SportsEastern Randolph athletics, Eastern Randolph baseball, Kahlin Graham, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball

Eastern Randolph, baseball Graham played a variety of positions for the Wildcats, often in the infield as the third baseman. He also was listed as a pitcher. The Wildcats reached the Class 1-A West Region finals before falling to eventual state champion Uwharrie Charter Academy. Graham is set to continue playing baseball at Guilford College. ** During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.

06 Jul

Trinity’s Mowery picks Western Carolina – and might head there early

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Landon Mowery, Prep baseball, Trinity athletics, Western Carolina Catamounts

Baseball player Landon Mowery of Trinity has made a college choice. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) THOMASVILLE – Landon Mowery has had an eye on becoming a Division I college baseball player for quite some time. From his perspective, there might be no sense in putting that off. Mowery, a Trinity standout, is considering reclassifying and heading to college a year early to join the Western Carolina program. Last week, he committed to play for the Catamounts and by the end of the week things had accelerated. “A big decision to be made,” Lowery said. “They want me to come…

25 Jun

No speed traps: Cougars’ Cole burns at rapid clip

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, prep football, prep track and field, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs behind teammate Eli Gravely during a 2022 football game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph product seeks more fast times in football ASHEBORO – Adam Cole figured out pretty early that the best way to make an impression was to do it fast. He sprinted to a special high school career for Southwestern Randolph. It mostly came about through football and baseball, allowing his foot speed to set him apart. By his senior year, he became the face of the football program. “It’s kind of a role I have to take,” he said. “It’s not like…

24 Jun

Mid-Piedmont Conference all-conference spring lists

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Prep baseball, Prep golf, prep soccer, Prep softball, Prep tennis, prep track and field, Tanner Marsh, Valentino Mark

Tanner Marsh of Asheboro was named the Player of the Year for Mid-Piedmont Conference baseball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Player of the Year: Tanner Marsh (Asheboro) Pitcher of the Year: Garrett Roark (Ledford) Coach of the Year: Kevin Goss (Ledford) Asheboro: Connor Adams, Davis Gore, Tanner Marsh. Boys’ golf Player of the Year: Aidan Wilson (Oak Grove) Coach of the Year: Randy Mercer (Ledford) Asheboro: David Elliott, Luke Payne Girls’ soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Keelan Moore (North Davidson) Defensive Player of…

15 Jun

Scenes from Southeastern Randolph’s middle school baseball title

Randolph RecordSportsPrep baseball, Southwestern Randolph Middle School

Here’s the Southeastern Randolph Middle School baseball team after winning the county’s tournament title. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southeastern Randolph Middle School won the Randolph County Middle School baseball tournament last month. That made the Wildcats tournament and regular-season champions.

07 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Carter Brown

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Carter Brown, class 1-A, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

UCA, baseball Brown continued his strong postseason play with a stellar Class 1-A championship series. He went 3-for-4 with a triple in the clinching game against North Moore on Saturday in Holly Springs. Combined with his one hit in Game 1, he was 4-for-7 in the state finals. That helped the junior right fielder be selected as the Most Valuable Player in the championship series.

04 Jun

UCA stamps season as state champs

Randolph RecordSportsBen Medinger, Carter Brown, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Coach Rob Shore, here during the Class 1-A state finals, directed Uwharrie Charter Academy to a state championship in his first season as head coach. (P.J. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) HOLLY SPRINGS – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team looked the part of state champion. The Eagles kept their crisp play in place all the way through the Class 1-A state finals. UCA won the title for the second time in four seasons by sweeping North Moore in the best-of-3 series at Ting Stadium. Saturday’s clincher came in the form of an 8-1 victory with pitcher Brett Smith firing a five-hitter. He struck…

02 Jun

UCA rides Hunter’s pitching, defense to Game 1 win in state finals

Randolph RecordSportsBen Medinger, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, North Moore, Prep baseball, Ting Stadium, Troy Carver, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Uwharrie Charter Academy first baseman Ben Medinger tags out North Moore’s Elliot Furr as part of a pick-off play during Game 1 of the Class 1-A state finals Friday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) HOLLY SPRINGS – Freshman Jake Hunter threw a complete game as Uwharrie Charter Academy defeated North Moore 2-1 in the opening game of the Class 1-A state championship series Friday at Ting Stadium. Game 2 in the best-of-3 competition is at 11 a.m. Saturday, with a third game, if necessary, at 5 p.m. “Game 1 is really big,” Hunter said. “It’s hard to win two games in a…